Robot contact underneath opponents' pyramid

[jblay]

But the term has an "effect on the outcome of the match" can be interpreted differently as well. If I'm forced to contact the pyramid in some minor way to go under it and the only purpose of this contact is to go under the pyramid, making my route shorter, does this count? Because going under the pyramid does have an effect on the outcome of the match but the physical pyramid is not used to give this benefit.

Our robot is capable of going under the pyramid, but we want to start in the center of the pyramid. To do this, we have an item for barely contacting it, that extends vertically to the pyramid pole. Will we be able to go back and forth under the opponent's pyramid to the feeder station and contact the pyramid with this item every time without penalty?

My interpretation of the rules is that we will be able to do this without penalty, because we aren't getting any advantage out of this contact, it is just happening as we pass by.

From the wording of the rules it doesn't seem like the pyramid will be treated like the lanes from 2011 were, but more like the key was in 2012. Week 1 will show us a lot I bet.

[Retired Starman]

I would think that deliberately driving under the pyramid, knowing that you were going to contact the pyramid in the process could not be considered inconsequential. Brushing the leg of a pyramid as you drive by on the outside probably would be considered inconsequential. In short, deliberate, knowing contact will probably get you in trouble.

This one is going to be a judgement call on the part of the referee. You might want to discuss your strategy with the Head Referee before you attempt to use it and get yourself in trouble.

Dr. Bob
Chairman's Award is not about building the robot. Every team builds a robot

[MisterG]

Originally Posted by jblay

Our robot is capable of going under the pyramid, but we want to start in the center of the pyramid. To do this, we have an item for barely contacting it, that extends vertically to the pyramid pole. Will we be able to go back and forth under the opponent's pyramid to the feeder station and contact the pyramid with this item every time without penalty?

Seems like you want it both ways. When you are near your own pyramid, you want your device to satisfy the starting requirements (count as touching) and when you are at your opponents pyramid you want it to count as not touching.

I would say you need to pick one interpretation.

[jblay]

Originally Posted by MisterG

Seems like you want it both ways. When you are near your own pyramid, you want your device to satisfy the starting requirements (count as touching) and when you are at your opponents pyramid you want it to count as not touching.

I would say you need to pick one interpretation.

But what you are describing is exactly the way the key was judged last year, you needed to contact it at the start and it would protect you when you were in contact with it, but you could freely touch the opposing key, just not robots contacting it.

[FrankJ]

I have seen wording like this get interpreted differently even as the season progressed. The best place to ask is the drivers meeting at current event. You will get answers from the referee calling your event. Before then it really speculation.

As I recall, last years key rule was clear that you could contact the oppose key as long as you did not touch an opposing robot. So that is a different situation.

[45Auto]

GDC Opinion:

Q190 Q. What determines "inconsequential" contact with an opponent PYRAMID? Is consequentiality based on the consequence of the whole action, or only on how the itself pyramid is contacted? e.g. Is it legal to touch an opponent's pyramid while hitting climbing/shooting opponent (not contacting its pyramid)?
FRC1640 on 2013-01-16

A. The determination of if an act is consequential or not is determined based on what happens because of the action. For example, if a ROBOT contacts the opponent's PYRAMID as it drives past it, and no opponent ROBOTS are nearby or affected, the action would be considered inconsequential. If a ROBOT contacts the opponent's PYRAMID and blocks an opponent's attempt to CLIMB, it would be considered consequential. Contacting an opponent ROBOT who is contacting its PYRAMID is illegal per [G30].
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